Last Updated on April 20, 2022 by Gary Stephen
When you decide to use a Zero Turn Mower on a hill, you wouldn’t want to be Jack and Jill (who fell off a hill!).
Generally, the Zero Turn Mower is a user-friendly tool to mow your lawn with. It works great and efficiently and takes so much off your workload. But, is it safe to use on a hill? Mowing on a hill slope is always dangerous. You need to be more careful during mowing that type of area.
Is Zero Turn Mower good for a hill?
It is easy to mow a flat area, but what about that pesky hill? Yes, you can use your Zero Turn Mower on the hill, though with more care. Luckily, you can control your Zero Turn Mower on a hill slope with ease. You can control the speed and it is made to avoid injury. That’s why you should know how to use a zero-turn mower on a hill before starting to use it. In this article, we’ve unpacked all you need to know to get started. Enjoy!
This is so far my personal favorite Zero Turn Mower!
How to use A Zero Turn Mower on a hill?
As it is dangerous to mow on a hill, you should follow the following steps to mow with a Zero Turn Mower safely, especially how to start it when you are on a hill. After reading this article, you can use it on a hill with ease. Also, there is an article about the best one that you can consider!
Follow manufacturer recommendation
In the recommendation, manufacturers will tell you the degree of the slope for mowing. So, if you read the recommendation carefully, you will be able to know the degree you can mow according to it.
Accurate Steering
We know that the Best Zero Turn Mower uses the rear wheels for steering. Make accurate control of the steering of your mower. If you need to turn left, you should use the right hand to steer it. When you mow in a slope, your poor steering can cause an accident.
Determine the slope
You can use a pitch indicator to measure the degree of a hill. A 10-degree slope is easy to control balance. But on a 20-degree slope it is sometimes difficult to keep your balance.
Treading Lightly
The caster wheels of Zero Turn Mower do not provide enough stability on a hillside. If the tires are less treading, there is a possibility to drop down from the hill. So, check if the tires provide the best traction. Choose the mower with the wider wheel because it provides better traction.
Speeding up the mower is not the solution
Zero Turn Mower is well-known for its speed. However, it is better to drive this mower on a slow speed on 15-degree slopes when working on a hillside. If you drive it at 5 mph pace, it will provide better traction and safe trimming. Always avoid sharp turns when you are on the hill.
Control the Speed
When you use your Zero Turn Mower on the hillside, you should check the speed carefully. This mower has the capacity to mow the grass with great speed. But you have to control the speed when mowing on the hill and drive it slowly. When you move your mower up or down, you should drive it with constant velocity. If you move it in moderation, it will secure the mower. Moreover, do not make a sharp turn, because then it can cause loss of control.
Take safety gears
Before driving a Mower on the hill, ensure all security measures are in place. Drive the front wheel when you mow on a hill with fifteen-degree slopes. You can also slot in the walk-behind model for this purpose. This reduces the risk of injury. Besides, use your seat belt for safety mowing. If you are able to control the speed and steering, you can avoid all the injuries.
Dangers on Hillside
As Zero Turn Mower only has the rear wheel for steering, the front wheels have no steering power. Only front wheels can allow the mower to make a sharp turn. When your mower is sliding on the hillside, the front wheel cannot work to prevent it. So, due to the design, do not make a sharp turn.
Operate Safely
While mowing on a hill with a Zero Turn Mower, you should operate it very slowly and do not make a sharp turn. It is better to mow the grass when it gets dried to avoid any slipping. When you need to go to the uphill, you should go forward at a gentle pace. If you lose control, move backward from off the hill and fasten your seatbelt. Keep all objects away from the mowing area.
What are the best conditions for mowing on a slope?
Always mow on a hillside if the weather is dry, and always do this during peak daylights like noon, to avoid shadows from being cast on the side of the hill. Rocks and other objects that could cause dangerous conditions on the slope might be difficult to see in the shadows, so this should be avoided at all cost.
Here are some of our favourite Zero Turn Mowers
1/64 Kubota Z700 Zero Turn Lawn Mower, Pull Back Action
Snapper 2691319 360z Mower, Riding, Zero Turn, Red
Husqvarna Z254 21.5 HP Kawasaki Zero Turn Mower – 967045201
Snapper 460Z 48-Inch 25HP Briggs & Stratton Commercial Engine Zero Turn Lawn Mower, 5901718
Conclusion
It is not hard to mow on a hill with a Turn Mower. You simply need to take extra safety precautions and pay more attention. After knowing how to use a Zero Turn Mower on a hill, you can head to the hill with ease.
You can also find more about zero turn mower, by checking garden tools , for more tips on lawn care and gardening. Happy mowing!
